Kelly Wearstler Returns to the Avalon!

Kelly Wearstler is not my obsession, just a passion. In the February 2010 issue of Lonny Magazine, they took an in-depth look at Kelly Wearstler bringing mid-century, Italian flair into the Avalon Hotel. Wearstler did the original interior design when her husband, Brad Korzen, originally redeveloped this 1940's hotel. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of this Beverly Hills hideaway, Wearstler was back at work updating this chic boutique hotel that originally helped put her on the national interior design map. Check out some of the breathtaking pics as Wearstler weaves her decorating magic.

The blue terrazzo is unbelievably beautiful. The bar stools with the gold plating exude class and sophistication.

Love the chairs.

A lounge seating area that functionally allows every patron to have their own seat.

I just liked how the calm mood is evoked in this setting.


The colors, natural light, and clean decor makes this the ideal place for a cafe.


I'm blown away by the crackled glass base detailing. That is a dining set that I would pay some serious money for.

Lounge chairs that are fully padded in white.

It is amazing how true artist draw their inspiration.

The wallpaper is ridiculously cool. I spy the Cora Floor Lamp in the corner.

You're So Vain

Everytime I pull my desk chair into the bathroom to flatiron my hair, I wish I had a vanity. First of all, there's barely enough room in the bathroom in which to put the chair, and if hubby and I are trying to get ready at the same time, it's downright impossible. I'm hoping I'll be able to make another small change once we move into a bigger apartment (and after that, a house!).

Jolene Modern Chic Vanity Table by deerdane on Etsy.

I found this photo on Apartment Therapy, and I think it's perfect for my needs. It's compact, inexpensive, and clean-lined. It doesn't hold a lot of stuff, but I'm not exactly what you'd call high-maintenance. My makeup drawer consists of a tube of Maybelline Great Lash and some concealer. Since I'll be losing my desk to a dining room table, this will be a great alternative location for my clear Ghost chair. All that's left is finding the perfect mirror and I'm all set! I love it when things go my way...

Kelly Wearstler's Hue

Hue by Kelly Wearstler

Who doesn't love Kelly Wearstler? I got my sister-in-law this book for Christmas, and she loved it. Kelly is arguably the most talented interior designer in America. If a picture says a thousand words, then check out the photos below courtesy of the LA Times.

Also, here is a quick synopsis of the book:

Kelly Wearstler is the ultimate trendsetter in interior design. Hue by Kelly Wearstler builds upon the success of her first monograph, Modern Glamour, and includes recent, unpublished projects, including her home in Beverly HIlls, celebrity residential projects as well as some of her latest hotel projects. Hue celeberates the power of color in Kelly's work and the possibilities of color in interior design and decorating. A must-have for amateurs and professionals seeking design inspiration America's top interior designer.

The Bird Cage

The Garden of Eden collection by Ontwerpduo. Photo by Lisa Klappe.

Is it Spring yet? Because this looks heavenly...

I equally adore this Aviary Castle (yeah, castle is right) from Anthropologie. I think I feel a ray of sunshine already!

Elle Decor: A Glamorous Renovation

In this December's issue of Elle Decor, designer Miles Redd unleashed a large dose of drama into a traditional New York apartment. Redd artfully blends different eras and attitudes to create a very glamorous style statement. Check out his interior design magic below:


The Louis XV inspired chairs in the green, mohair-like velvet is the perfect foil to the Etienne Drian screen.


You can't go wrong with the children's bed from IKEA. I love the blue and white striped carpet flooring which is what you would normally see as the wallpaper. The rug is from Dash & Albert.


Very eclectic setting. It's nice how the all the picture frames don't match, which is a fallacy most people make. Mix and Match is sometimes better than all Match!


Big fan of the back splash tiles. Now that is a kitchen I wouldn't mind cooking in. I like the play of the ivory and black colors.


A unique, modified chevron flooring. The high gloss paint in the deep blues gives off that old Hollywood glam feel.


The big mirrored piece helps make the room feel grander than it is. The light blue velvet sofa is very opulent.


Red done right makes for a beautiful, mood evoking place. The little red trim outline on the windows is a great little touch.

Furniture vs. Fashion: Naptime

We spent one-third of our lives in bed, so surely the piece of furniture on which we rest says something about us. And wouldn't you know it, a bed screams your style as much as, well, you.

Call me crazy, but I fell in love with this simple silhouette as soon as it arrived in our store. The Paul Bed is a perfectly tailored shape paired with a luxurious fabric, and that equals simple style. And who else knows simple? Calvin Klein, hands down. I also love Doo.Ri's elegant, simple shift.

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Ever long to be from another time? Remember the days when ladies dressed up to do errands? Behnaz Sarafpour and Rachel Roy do. And Anthropologie is making antique style new again with their Italian Campaign Canopy Bed. Bellissima.

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Nothing Martha Stewart does is ever sloppy. She is the Queen of Put-Together and the Irvington Nickel Bed is no exception. The same is true of Michael Kors (King of the Jet-Setters) and Ralph Lauren (King of the Ivy Leaguers).

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Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you want to parade around in ruffles and flowers all the time. Masculine touches counter your sweet temperament. Casamidy's Altavista Leather Headboard is just the right amount of masculine with woven leather in a boxy shape. For your wardrobe, there's a leather trench from 3.1 Phillip Lim or a trendier boyfriend jacket from Antonio Berardi.

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Or perhaps you shun all things manly, preferring to look the part of the girly-girl you are. Hey, it's your life. In that case, I'd curl up on the Helena Bed from Oly Studio with its carved, whitewashed wood frame, raffia upholstery, and antiqued nailheads. Throw on, what else?, a dress from Derek Lam or Christopher Kane and take on the world.

HF Weekly Obsession(s): Head Case

I'm really very smitten with this vignette from the latest Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams catalog. I spied the Ming Console in a magazine last month and was very pleased to find I liked it as much in person as I did in print. The first one we put on our floor sold instantly! It's just the right amount of red for a pop of color in a neutral setting. We put ours with a dark brown velvet Kennedy sofa with red pillows. I rather like it!

I also adore it with the Kinsey Lounge that they used. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams uses a lot of tufting in their designs and they use it well. I'm a fan.